11 best big landmarks in NSW to see on your next road trip
The Big Banana may be the most famous, but from the Big Bogan to the Big Knight, NSW has plenty of hidden gem ‘big landmarks’ to see on your next road trip.
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Now that the regional travel ban is lifting on June 1st just in time for school holidays, why not make a road trip out of seeing NSW’s big landmarks?
Here are all the great photo ops to check out.
BIG BANANA
Of course this list starts with the iconic Big Banana.
Coffs Harbour’s iconic landmark is the most famous ‘big thing’ in Australia, and no trip to Coffs would be complete without a picture.
Once it reopens, the adventure park is great for families, with mini golf, a water park and lazer tag all on offer.
BIG PRAWN
The Big Prawn in Ballina is a massive 9 metres high and weighs 35 tonne.
Just off the Pacific Hwy, the monster crustacean is an easy stop north of the Big Banana.
The site was originally planned for demolition by Ballina Council, but when Bunnings bought the prawn it was given a $400,000 makeover in 2013, now with added tail!
BIG KNIGHT
If you’ve never stopped to visit the Big Knight on your way to Queensland, you’re missing out.
The knight alone isn’t the biggest selling point here, but rather the castle he guards.
The Macadamia Castle north of Ballina is a great stop on the family road trip, with an animal park for the kids and delicious macadamia treat for mum and dad.
It’s a great place to stop for lunch and a coffee and for the kids to stretch their legs, and make sure to snap yourself with the Big Knight before you leave.
@102megan 3/4 Macadamia Castle. North of Ballina pic.twitter.com/b4QkNU0W5N
— Pen Beecham (@penjaneb) July 11, 2013
BIG BOGAN
Definitely the most controversial of all the ‘big things’, the Big Bogan stands proudly in Nygnan in the Bogan Shire.
The five metre tall rusted iron statue sports a Southern Cross tattoo, thongs and a singlet, and was erected in 2015 to draw tourists to the tiny town.
Not all locals were happy about the Big Bogan, worrying the statue would encourage less than desirable folk to visit the town.
Whatever your opinions on this ‘big thing’ it’s certainly worth a visit if you’re heading to the far west.
BIG BEER CAN
In 1990 the Grand Hotel in the mining town Cobar had the most Aussie idea ever — to erect a huge beer can right on the awning.
The Tooheys New tinnie is five metres tall, the monument sits on the highway between Dubbo and Broken Hill.
Why not stop for a pub meal at the Grand Hotel while you’re there and support the regional town?
Got to love the big beer can in Cobar NSW.
— RvTrips (@rvtrips) November 24, 2016
See more photos & tips at … https://t.co/qJ0gialZy2 pic.twitter.com/1d9WTVJutl
BIG BENCH
While maybe not the most excited ‘big thing’ on this list, there’s something about sitting on a Big Bench that’s just fun.
In Broken Hill the Big Bench not only marks a fun tourist spot — it’s a great place to learn some history.
Constructed on top of the line of lode, the ore deposits that attracted settlers to Broken Hill. Make sure to also visit the Line of Lode Memorial which commemorates the 800 miners who lost their lives underground.
BIG DINOSAUR
Driving towards the Central Coast from Sydney, the first glimpse of the Ploddy the Big Dinosaur is how you know you aren’t far off the Australian Reptile Park.
Constructed in 1963 and modelled off the Diplodicus, Ploddy is the oldest ‘big thing’ in the state.
Take a picture with Ploddy before visiting the Reptile Park to meet some modern dinosaurs.
BIG FRUIT BOWL
Threatened by NSW’s recent devastating fires, now is the perfect time to visit the Big Fruit Bowl in Bilpin and support the regional town.
The Bilpin Fruit Bowl has been operated by the Tadrosse family since the mid 80s, and the massive orchard provides a bounty of fresh fruit to the famous shop.
This is a great place to stop on your road trip and pick up some healthy snacks or one of their famous pies for the journey ahead.
Bilpin fruit bowl excursion. Gala #apples, #figs and #nectarine picking to commence! pic.twitter.com/EWctzJr3
— jenn madz (@jenn4rancilio) February 20, 2013
BIG GOLDEN GUITAR
Tamworth is famous for it’s country music festival, and the town’s ‘big thing’ celebrates country perfectly with the Big Golden Guitar.
You can grab a coffee when you visit at the nearby cafe, or brush up on your knowledge with a visit to the National Guitar Museum.
BIG MERINO
The last on our list is the Big Merino, Goulburn’s 15 metre tall concrete ram.
This ‘big thing’ is a tribute to Goulburn’s wool industry, and was modelled on Rambo, a stud Ram from a local property Bullamallita in 1985.
If you visit make sure to pick up some fine wool products at the Big Merino gift shop.
